5.0 from 6 votes
[Recipe + Video] Mofongo de Yuca (Fried Cassava with Garlic and Cheddar Cheese)
This mofongo de yuca recipe is something that I have been wanting to write for a while, but I needed the time to perfect it. The creamy cheesy sauce was just the thing it needed.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 883 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
South American , Puerto Rican , Dominican
Ingredients
- 2½ pound yuca (cassava) [1.13 kilo], peeled, washed, and chopped (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2½ cups oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon mashed garlic
- 1 cup minced chicharrón
For the Cheddar cheese sauce
- 2 tablespoon salted butter
- ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (whole or skim) [237 mililiters]
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese [55 grams]
To garnish
- 2 tablespoon minced chives (optional)
Instructions
1. Salting yuca
- Salting yuca: In a deep bowl combine yuca, salt, and enough water to cover the yuca. Let it rest for 30 minutes to an hour.Once this time has passed, remove the yuca from the water (discard the water), and let the yuca rest on a paper towel for 10 minutes to dry excess water (this will help avoid oil splatters).
Cup of Yum
2. Frying yuca
- In a small saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat (300 ºF [150 ºC]).Fry the yuca in small batches (do not pile up) until it turns golden brown all over (5-7 mins). Remove the yuca from the oil and place on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
3. Mashing yuca
- In a pilón (wooden mortar [link to affiliate store]) combine ¼ of the garlic and ¼ of the pork crackling and crush together to combine. Add ¼ of the fried yuca and mash together.Form a half-ball with it, and place on a serving plate.Repeat this 3 more times with the remaining garlic, pork, and yuca for a total of 4 servings.
4. Making the sauce
- In a small saucepan heat the butter over medium-low heat until it melts. Immediately add the flour and stir vigorously to combine and cook the flour until it has changed the color to a slightly darker one.Pour in the milk and stir vigorously to combine everything and avoid getting clumps.Once the milk and flour have combined, stir in the cheddar cheese and cook stirring until the cheese has melted. Remove from the heat.
5. Serving
- Garnish with the chives, drizzle with the cheddar sauce, and serve as soon as ready.
Notes
- Chop yuca into smallish pieces to cook evenly and get a crispier yuca (about 1-inch cubes [2.5 centimeters]).
Nutrition Information
Calories
883kcal
(44%)
Carbohydrates
112g
(37%)
Protein
14g
(28%)
Fat
43g
(66%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
23g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
43mg
(14%)
Sodium
2077mg
(87%)
Potassium
874mg
(25%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
456IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
59mg
(66%)
Calcium
225mg
(23%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 883
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 883kcal | 44% |
| Carbohydrates | 112g | 37% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 43g | 66% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 43mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 2077mg | 87% |
| Potassium | 874mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 456IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 59mg | 66% |
| Calcium | 225mg | 23% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.